Career and Education Opportunities for Numerical Control Tool Programmers in Louisville, Kentucky

There is a wide variety of career and education opportunities for numerical control tool programmers in the Louisville, Kentucky area. The national trend for numerical control tool programmers sees this job pool shrinking by about 15.4% over the next eight years. Numerical control tool programmers generally develop programs to control machining or processing of parts by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems.

Income for numerical control tool programmers is about $18 per hour or $39,350 per year on average in Kentucky. Nationally, their income is about $21 hourly or $44,310 yearly. Incomes for numerical control tool programmers are better than in the overall category of Computer Controls in Kentucky, and better than the overall Computer Controls category nationally.

The Louisville area is home to thirty schools of higher education, including one within twenty-five miles of Louisville where you can get a degree as a numerical control tool programmer. Numerical control tool programmers usually hold an Associate's, or other 2-year degree, so you can expect to spend about two years training to become a numerical control tool programmer if you already have a high school diploma.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Numerical Control Tool Programmer

Numerical Control Tool Programmer video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, numerical control tool programmers develop programs to control machining or processing of parts by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems.

Numerical control tool programmers analyze job orders, drawings, blueprints, specifications, printed circuit board pattern films, and layout data so as to calculate dimensions and feed rates. They also decide on the sequence of machine operations, and decide on the proper cutting tools needed to machine workpieces into the desired shapes. Equally important, numerical control tool programmers have to modify existing programs to enhance efficiency. They are often called upon to decide on reference points, machine cutting paths, or hole locations, and compute angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures. They are expected to observe machines on trial runs or conduct computer simulations to insure that programs and machinery will function properly and produce items that meet specifications. Finally, numerical control tool programmers revise programs and/or tapes to remove errors, and retest programs to check that problems have been solved.

Every day, numerical control tool programmers are expected to be able to visualize how things come together and can be organized. They need to see details at a very fine level of focus. It is also important that they imediately see the relationships between collections of numbers, images, and patterns.

It is important for numerical control tool programmers to enter computer commands to store or retrieve components patterns or programs that transfer data to other media. They are often called upon to ready geometric layouts from graphic displays, using computer-assisted drafting software or drafting instruments and graph paper. They also compare encoded tapes or computer printouts with original part specifications and blueprints to confirm precision of instructions. They are sometimes expected to enter coordinates of hole locations into program memories by depressing pedals or buttons of programmers. Somewhat less frequently, numerical control tool programmers are also expected to write instruction sheets and cutter lists for a machine's controller so as to guide setup and encode numerical control tapes.

Numerical control tool programmers sometimes are asked to draw machine tool paths on pattern film, using colored markers and following guidelines for tool speed and efficiency. and revise programs and/or tapes to remove errors, and retest programs to check that problems have been solved. And finally, they sometimes have to observe machines on trial runs or conduct computer simulations to insure that programs and machinery will function properly and produce items that meet specifications.

Like many other jobs, numerical control tool programmers must be thorough and dependable and be able to absorb the factors involved and a problem and provide a well thought out solution.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Numerical Control Tool Programmer Training

Jefferson Community and Technical College - Louisville, KY

Jefferson Community and Technical College, 109 E Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202-2005. Jefferson Community and Technical College is a large college located in Louisville, Kentucky. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 15,560 students. Jefferson Community and Technical College has an associate's degree program in Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician which graduated seven students in 2008.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky photo by File Upload Bot

Louisville is located in Jefferson County, Kentucky. It has a population of over 261,624. The cost of living index in Louisville, 84, is well below the national average. New single-family homes in Louisville are priced at $74,300 on average, which is far less than the state average. In 2002, one hundred forty-six new homes were built in Louisville, down from two hundred seventy-seven the previous year.

The three most popular industries for women in Louisville are health care, educational services, and accommodation and food services. For men, it is construction, accommodation and food services, and professional, scientific, and technical services. The average travel time to work is about 20 minutes. More than 21.3% of Louisville residents have a bachelor's degree, which is higher than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 8.7%, is higher than the state average.

About 21.6% of Louisville's residents are below the poverty line, which is worse than the state average.

The percentage of Louisville residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 54.6%, is more than the national average but less than the state average. Audubon Church, Expressway Church and Southern Baptist Seminary are some of the churches located in Louisville. The most prominent religious groups are the Catholic Church, the Southern Baptist Convention and the United Methodist Church.

Louisville is home to the Oak Saint Yards and the Brooklawn Childrens Home as well as Central Park and Taylor Memorial Park. Visitors to Louisville can choose from The Galt House, Seelbach Hilton and Best Western Airport East for temporary stays in the area.